Plainfield Park District

News Releases

2/22/08

Work on bike park to begin soon

The Plainfield Park District and CAMBr West, the west chapter of Chicago Area Mountain Bikers, are hoping Punxsutawney Phil’s 2008 prediction of six more weeks of winter weather is near its end.

The groups continue plans to begin construction of a bike park and skills area at Van Horn Woods this spring, with the first volunteer work day scheduled for Saturday, March 1. The bike park will be located on the eastern edge of the park, along the I-55 Frontage Road between Route 30 and Caton Farm Road in Plainfield.

Similar to a skate park but made of dirt, the free public bike park will feature dirt jumps of various sizes, a rhythm section of rolling berms, a pump track, and a skills area with obstacles such as logs and rocks. The park will be a safe environment designed for riders of all ages and skill levels with sections ranging from beginner to expert for riders to evolve in their sport.

The bike park will provide a location for competitions, exhibition riding, and instructional classes. A grand opening exhibition event is scheduled for Saturday, June 28, and a Dirt Jam competition event is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 4. In addition, the park will provide a training ground for the Olympic sports of BMX racing, mountain bike racing, and freestyle competitions like the X-Games.

“This bike park will be a very unique venue, the only one of its kind in Illinois and one of the few in the Midwest,” said Cameron Bettin, superintendent of planning for the Plainfield Park District. “As one of the largest park districts in the state, we’re proud to provide such an opportunity, not only for our residents, but for the entire region.”

“Freestyle biking opportunities have always been sparse in the Chicagoland area. Most local skate parks don’t allow bikes, and the few that do are small and over-crowded,” said Kevin Marley, CAMBr West member and coordinator of the bike park project. “To address this need, we developed a plan and approached the Plainfield Park District with a proposal to provide the participants in our sport with, not only a one-of-a-kind riding venue, but an opportunity to help build it from the ground up.” After a year of planning, the two groups entered into a formal agreement in February.

The bike park is being funded entirely by grants, donations and the fundraising efforts of CAMBr West. To date, CAMBr West has received donations from the Bikes Belong Grant, the Kona/IMBA Freeride Grant, the R.E.I. Gives Grant, Trek Bicycles, Cycle and Sports bike shop, Pedal and Spoke bike shop, and Bicycle Paper Designs.

In addition, the park is being constructed by CAMBr members and volunteers. Additional volunteers are needed to help build the park on the following supervised work days, weather permitting: Saturday, March 1; Sunday, March 16; Sunday, March 30; Sunday, April 13; Sunday, April 27; Saturday, May 10; Sunday, May 25; Sunday, June 08; and Saturday, June 21. Work days begin at 9 a.m. Cancellations will be posted by 8 a.m.

All volunteer workers must sign a waiver. Children under 18 must have a waiver with a parent or guardian's signature. Children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult.

Volunteers will work with IMBA-trained “trail bosses” to build the park to plan. Duties will include shoveling, raking, tamping, planting, wheelbarrow loading and pushing. Volunteers should be prepared for the work conditions and weather. Leather work gloves, hard-soled boots, eye protection, sunscreen, water, and food are recommended. Local vendors are donating food and refreshments for volunteer workers on specified work days.

Sponsorship opportunities are still available in exchange for donations of dirt, clay, tools, dirt moving machinery, food, beverages, or financial contributions. All donations are tax deductible as CAMBr West is a 501c3 non-profit organization.

CAMBr is a non-profit volunteer organization of hundreds of riders with a mission to promote responsible trail use, prevent trail closings, maintain unpaved trails and create new legal off-road opportunities for cycling in the Chicago area.

To find out more specifics about the bike park, inquire about volunteer opportunities, make a donation or check out CAMBr’s other projects, visit www.cambr.org, www.cambrwest.org, or www.plainfieldbikepark.com.

2/21/08

Two new recreation supervisors join Plainfield Park District staff

The Plainfield Park District recently hired two new staff members in its Recreation Department.

Kelly Banach is the new recreation supervisor in charge of special events and camps, and Megan Earnest is the new recreation/athletics supervisor responsible contracted and teen programs.

Kelly Banach Banach has worked in the recreation field for six years. She was previously employed at the Olympia Fields Park District as a recreation and facility coordinator for a year and a half, and at the Clarendon Hills Park District as a recreation supervisor for four and a half years. Banach is a Certified Park and Recreation Professional and has completed her first year of the Illinois Park and Recreation Association’s Professional Development School. She is also first aid and CPR/AED certified, as well as Serve Safe Food Service certified. Banach is a member of the Illinois Park and Recreation Association, the South Suburban Parks and Recreation Professional Association, as well as the National Recreation and Park Association. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Recreation Administration from Eastern Illinois University, and is a member of the EIU Alumni Association.

Megan Earnest Earnest, a 2007 graduate of the University of Illinois, earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Recreation, Sport and Tourism Management, minoring in Business Administration. She comes to the park district with seven years of experience in the recreation field, most recently serving as a recreation intern at the Lake Naomi Club and Resort last summer. She also worked as a team assistant in the University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics for two years, as an aquatics assistant manager for Swimming Pool Management Systems, Inc. at Grande Park for two years, and has planned youth programs for the YMCA and coached youth sports for the Naperville Park District. She is currently a coach for the Naperville Wildcats, a traveling girls’ basketball team. Earnest is a member of the Illinois Park and Recreation Association and is CPR/AED certified.

1/31/08

Plainfield Park District recreation staff members earn certifications

Two Plainfield Park District recreation staff members recently earned national certification in the park and recreation profession.

Cody Kamp, Athletics and Facilities Manager, and Adam Steffes, Facility Coordinator/Athletics Supervisor, were recently certified as Certified Park and Recreation Professionals by the Illinois Park and Recreation Association (IPRA).

To become certified, both passed the national examination designed to assess core knowledge of job-related tasks. The computerized test, administered under the auspices of the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) National Certification Board, is comprised of 125 questions in the categories of management, programming, and operations.

Kamp, who has worked at the Plainfield Park District for six years, is responsible for the scheduling of School District 202 and Plainfield Park District facilities. He is also the park district’s liaison to the Plainfield Athletic Advisory Council. Kamp, a member of the NRPA, is also an active member of the IPRA, participating as a Facility Management Section member, a College and University Relations Committee member, and the State Co-Coordinator of the Hershey Track Meet. He is also a member of the South Suburban Park and Recreation Professional Association. Kamp, a Certified Pool Operator, has also attended the NRPA’s National Aquatic Management School for two years. Kamp, a Western Illinois University graduate, earned his degree in Recreation, Parks and Tourism Administration.

Steffes, who has worked at the Plainfield Park District for two years, manages the Ottawa Street Pool and runs the park district’s youth athletics programs, including the in-house basketball program, as well as all adult athletics leagues. Steffes, a member of the NRPA, is also a member of the IPRA, participating as a member of the Facility Management Section. He is also a graduate of IPRA’s Professional Development School. Steffes, an Illinois State University graduate, earned Bachelor of Science degrees in Park and Recreation Administration and Economics.

10/23/07

Plainfield Park District announces Halloween House Decorating Contest Winners

The Plainfield Park District has announced the winners of its first Halloween Decorating Contest! The contest was open to all Plainfield Park District residents and all entries were judged by a committee on originality, creativity and use of the “Halloween” theme.

AWARD CATE-”GORE”-IES

Big Scare-Low Budget
24031 Water Lily Ct. - Golden Meadows Subdivision
Best Actors (1-3)
2223 Twin Lakes Ct. - Wesmere/Lakes Subdivision
Best Actors (4 or more)
2007 Steward Ln. - Kendall Ridge Subdivision
Judges’ Favorite
2205 Stonehaven Dr. - Wedgewood Subdivision
Best Special Effects
14431 General Dr. - Liberty Grove Subdivision
Family Fun
13720 S. Amgerst Ct. - Pheasant Chase Subdivision

5/10/07

Plainfield Park District receives recognition for excellence in financial reporting

The Plainfield Park District has received a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA). The award is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting.

“This is a significant accomplishment for our Business Department, and the Plainfield Park District is very proud of their achievement,” said Executive Director Greg Bott. “Many hours were spent doing the research and crunching the numbers required to put together a thorough Comprehensive Annual Financial Report.”

The Plainfield Park District’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2006, was judged by an impartial panel to meet the high standards of the GFOA program. This included demonstrating a “spirit of full disclosure” to clearly communicate its financial story and motivate potential users and user groups to read the report.

The GFOA is a nonprofit professional association serving approximately 16,000 government finance professionals.

1/31/07

Plainfield Park District web site wins state award

The Plainfield Park District’s web site won second place in the Most Improved Marketing Piece category of the Illinois Park and Recreation Association's Agency Showcase Competition. The award was announced during the state conference awards luncheon on Jan. 26 at the Hyatt Regency Chicago.

The Plainfield Park District’s web site underwent a total renovation for 2006, with the launch of the new and improved www.plainfieldparkdistrict.com in January. The site was designed by Visionary Webworks and is maintained by Plainfield Park District Public Information Coordinator Marianne Naughton.

The site contains more information than the previous static site, plus an interactive calendar of events and an online registration option. An interactive park map is currently in the works. The site also features seasonal changes in accent colors and graphic images to match the district’s seasonal brochures. All photographic images used are of Plainfield Park District residents, employees, program participants, and their families.

Traffic on the site increased steadily throughout the spring and summer, and now averages about 13,000 visits each month. July, the month of Plainfield Fest, logged the most visits at 15,362, followed closely by August, the first time the park district offered online registration, at 14,651. More than138,000 site visits were logged during its first year.

The IPRA Agency Showcase Competition is the premier communication and marketing competition for Illinois park and recreation agencies. Entries in the Most Improved Marketing Piece category were judged against each other regardless of the type of publication based on a 300-word explanation and overall improvement.

8/17/06

Ottawa Street Pool lifeguards place 8th in state competition

A team of lifeguards from the Plainfield Park District’s Ottawa Street Pool finished tied for 8th place out of 47 teams in the Illinois Park and Recreation Association’s Lifeguard Games competition. The games took place at the Bensenville Water Park on Aug. 5.

Members of the team included Mitchell Anliker, Elizabeth Bruce, Margaret Dixon, and Ryan McCormack. A second Plainfield Park District team finished tied for 23rd place. That team included Andrew Gilson, Andrew Ruddy, Kaitlin Smith, and Leah Swenson.

The purpose of the Lifeguard Games competition is to encourage park and recreation agency lifeguards and junior lifeguards to rise to challenges, practice their craft, learn from other guards and have fun. Teams of four competed in a series of seven events to test their lifeguard skills, strength, speed, endurance and their ability to work as a team. The events included Spinal Injury Management, Two-Person Rescue, Submerged Rescue, a Lifeguard Challenge relay, a Cold-Weather relay, and an event called Picture Perfect. A sand volleyball event also took place, but was not scored as a placed event. In addition, a Spirit Award was given to the agency exhibiting the most spirit in support of their teams and agency during the event.

The Plainfield Park District team that tied for 8th place finished first in the Lifeguard Challenge Relay with a time of 1:45.24, and captured 9th place in the Cold Weather Relay. The Plainfield Park District team that tied for 23rd place finished 5th in the Submerged Rescue.

“I am so proud of the Ottawa Street Pool lifeguards that participated in this event. It was a very successful showing for our first time ever participating in the competition,” said Cody Kamp, Plainfield Park District athletics supervisor and manager of the Ottawa Street Pool.

2/2/06

Business and Community Relations Manager wins WIU Distinguished Alumnus Award

Greg Cheryl Crisman, the Plainfield Park District’s Business and Community Relations Manager, was named the 2006 winner of Western Illinois University’s Jim Berousek Distinguished Alumnus Award.

The award, named after a 1974 graduate who died suddenly and unexpectedly in 1989 just short of his 38th birthday, recognizes a Recreation, Park and Tourism program alumnus who has carried on the department’s tradition of high professional standards. The award was presented to Crisman on Jan. 27 during the Illinois Parks and Recreation Association’s annual conference, held in Chicago.

“The Plainfield Park District is very proud of Cheryl and her achievement. We see her performance everyday, so we know she is deserving of such a recognition,” said Plainfield Park District Executive Director Greg Bott.

“It was exciting to find out that Cheryl had been selected to receive this award,” added Rich Zielke, Director of Recreation. “She has been a very valuable member of our staff for eight years, and her dedication to the field of parks and recreation is evident on a daily basis.”

Crisman was originally hired as a Recreation Supervisor for Special Events in May 1998, and was promoted to her current position in January 2004. Previously, she was an Assistant Manager for the Hanover Park Park District's Centre Court Athletic Club from June 1997 to April 1999. Crisman was also employed as an adjunct faculty member at the University of St. Francis for the Fall 2003 semester, teaching Case Studies and Practices in Public Relations.

In her current position, Crisman's primary responsibilities include the coordination of special projects and planning of special events and community-based programs. Recent projects have included supervising the park district's comprehensive master plan, comparative fee analysis, and 2001 community survey. She is also responsible for developing and soliciting alternative revenue programs such as donations, grants, sponsorships, and advertising. Crisman also acts as a liaison to the Friends of the Plainfield Park District Foundation, as well as to various other organizations in the Plainfield community.

In addition, Crisman is very active in the Plainfield community. She is a Plainfield Area Chamber of Commerce Board Member and past Co-Chair of the organization's Women You Should Know Committee. She is also a former Secretary and Community Development Vice President for the Plainfield Jaycees. Crisman also has been active in many Illinois Park and Recreation Association committees over the years.

Crisman, a Certified Park and Recreation Professional, earned her Master of Science degree in Recreation, Park and Tourism Administration from Western Illinois University, graduating with high honors and winning the department's 1997 Outstanding Graduate Student Award. She also has bachelor's degrees in Psychology and Public Recreation from South Dakota State University.

10/7/05

Executive Director reaches milestone

Greg When Greg Bott was promoted to Executive Director of the Plainfield Park District in September of 1985, he was one of five full-time employees in a park district with five park sites including the Ottawa Street Pool. The population of Plainfield at the time was 15,000.

As Bott celebrates his 20th anniversary as Executive Director this fall, he oversees a park district with 30 full-time employees, six facilities, and 78 parks consisting of more than 1,300 acres which serves a population of more than 100,000 people.

“I’ve been very fortunate in my career track,” reflects Bott. “While most people have to change jobs and move to new places to grow in their careers, my career ascension has taken place in the same chair.”

Bott, who earned Recreation and Physical Education degrees from North Central College, worked in park maintenance at the Naperville Park District before being hired by the Plainfield Park District in 1981. He was later promoted to Superintendent of Parks in 1983. When his predecessor, John Fones, resigned as executive director, he encouraged Bott to apply for the position.

“John taught me a lot about public service and the parks and recreation field, and he instilled the confidence in me to pursue this type of position,” said Bott.

Looking back, Bott describes the 1980’s as a stable time. Plainfield had adopted a park donation ordinance in 1987, so the park district was adding about one new site per year. By 1990, the Park District had 187 acres of land and served an estimated population of 20,000 people.

Then in the early 1990’s, two events brought rapid change to the park district. The first was a devastating 1990 tornado, and the second was a 1991 tax cap, abolishing the park district’s discretionary ability to raise taxes to meet the community’s needs. Meanwhile, Plainfield’s population was beginning to explode. Between 1990 and 2000, the area’s population increased by nearly 200 percent.

“It was incredibly challenging, but very exciting at the same time, to be a part of such a dynamic community and to help form it. Looking back, I don’t think anyone anticipated the growth we have seen and are seeing,” said Bott.

Despite many challenges over the years, Bott has used his direct, no-frills style and common-sense approach to guide the park district, meeting the needs of an expanding community with limited resources and tight financial conditions.

“I have always believed in parks and recreation and the significant role they play in enhancing the quality of life. That belief has kept me focused on this job and this community,” said Bott. “It has been very rewarding to grow in this community as it has grown.”